I was recently asked to play in a few tournaments. I used to love golf, but now it is totally different. Yes. I coach the team at Lycoming College. I enjoy being around my boys. Our interactions are stupendous. I seldom play. No worries. My window is closed. I peaked when I was 30. I still love getting those invites. Folks will reach out needing a last-minute extra. I said no to the Chamber. The same with many others. No time.

Scrambles are great fundraisers. They are a great way to keep things competitive. Everyone hits. You play the best shot and keep at it. All walks of life can enjoy and add to this format. Good players help, but they are not required. It is super fun. My wedge game is still solid. I practice in the backyard after mowing. The 60-yard burner barrel flip is still in the cards.

I no longer hit it out there with the big boys. That is the main reason I stopped playing. My swing gets shorter every year. My driving distances have plummeted like those skill machines. Putting was never my forte either. Thankfully, in a scramble, you have three others to help. Sometimes you get lucky and hole a bomb. That keeps you coming back.

The scoring in Scrambles is quite ridiculous. Remember, they are money generators. You will have a chance to buy several mulligans. Ribbons and strings are my personal favorites. Knock one close to the hole and count it. Pay the gal on the tee box for an automatic birdie. Give me $20, and you can play from the Reds. My friends and I have also thrown a Nerf football to improve our chances. Folks are getting super creative. We are now chucking frisbees. The scores that come in are outstanding, but there is no honor. We birdied every hole. We were 19 under. Not possible. I have even seen a few rounds in the 40s. Kudos to you on winning the 2026 Let’s Buy a New Firetruck Invitational. Congrats on that $25 gift card in the pro shop, Kenny. You deserve it.

I used to be good. Feel free to look at my scrapbook. My entire life has been built around the game and then some. I golfed competitively in high school and college. My first real job was with the United States Golf Association. I worked at White Deer Golf Course for 16 great years. This is my second stint at Lycoming. My 20th season. I have played in hundreds of individual and team tournaments. Yes. Golf is a huge part. And now? Well. I am searching for excuses.

I was supposed to golf today in the Lycoming Homecoming. A yearly tradition like no other. I left my brothers BK and Tim Smith hanging. Royce Eyer couldn’t swing it either. We are getting older. More responsible? No. I can’t speak for Royce, but I am slammed at work. Several appointments. Shaking hands with customers. I have to polish these splashes by noon. While my friends are getting ready to tee it up at White Deer, I am finishing up this column. Oh. We had some great memories with this outing. Tons of laughs and smiles. I will be back next year. I promise. Here. I am sending two of my better players. Tre Lesperance and Connor Shanahan. They will make you smile. These kids can play, and they are a major upgrade. Tre and Connor will help win the crown. Please include my name at the bottom. Cheers.